ATHENS, Ga. (AP) – Rodrigo Blankenship kicked two fourth-quarter field goals and Georgia’s defense shut down No. 8 Auburn in the second half to beat the Tigers 13-7 on Saturday.

The loss ends Auburn’s Southeastern Conference championship hopes and knocks the Tigers out of consideration for a spot in the playoff.

Auburn (7-3, 5-2 SEC, No. 9 CFP) had been in control of its hopes to win the SEC’s Western Division, with one conference game remaining at No. 1 Alabama. Instead, Alabama clinched the division with Auburn’s loss.

The Tigers couldn’t overcome the loss of star running back Kamryn Pettway, the nation’s No. 4 rusher who hurt his left leg on a long run in last week’s win over Vanderbilt. Pettway was with the team but not in uniform.

After Blankenship’s 21-yard field goal with 2:25 remaining, Auburn was stopped on four downs, triggering a celebration in the stands and on Georgia’s sideline.

Kerryon Johnson ran for 99 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown in the first quarter, as the fill-in starter for Johnson.

Sean White couldn’t find a passing game to complement Johnson’s running. White, returning from an undisclosed injury, completed only 6 of 20 passes for 27 yards with an interception.

Blankenship, the Georgia walk-on kicker who wears black-rimmed glasses under his helmet, barely cleared the cross bar on his 45-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter for a 10-7 lead. Blankenship was short on a 49-yard attempt about three minutes later.

Auburn had only 25 yards passing in the first half and opened the second half with three straight passing plays – two incompletions and a third-down pass intercepted by Maurice Smith and returned 34 yards for a tying touchdown.

THE TAKEAWAY

Auburn: The Tigers likely will be headed for a sharp drop in the Top 25. The inability to compensate for Pettway’s injury revealed Auburn’s lack of offensive balance and inability to retain its spot as a championship or playoff contender.

UP NEXT

Auburn: The Tigers will play their final home game against Alabama A&M next Saturday as they hope to gain momentum for their Nov. 26 game at Alabama.

Georgia: Georgia hosts Louisiana Lafayette next Saturday before closing its season with another home game against in-state rival Georgia Tech on Nov. 26.